Enhanced caller identification using caller readable devices

ABSTRACT

A method for providing enhanced caller information to a communications recipient includes storing enhanced caller information in memory of a card distributed to a cardholder. An information reader reads the enhanced caller information from the memory of the card when the cardholder attempts to initiate a telephone call. The read enhanced caller information is inserted into voice signals used to establish the telephone call with the communications recipient. The voice signals with the inserted enhanced caller information are transmitted to the communications recipient over a network. A cellular telephone includes an information reader for reading the enhanced caller information from an external caller information storage device, for example, a card. An information insertion module of the cellular telephone merges the enhanced caller information with voice signals used to establish a telephone call with a communications recipient. The cellular telephone includes a transmitter for transmitting the voice signals with the merged enhanced caller information over a network to the communications recipient.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/994,542, filed Nov. 22, 2004, titled “EnhancedCaller Identification using Caller Readable Devices”, the entirety ofwhich U.S. patent application is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to communication networks. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus forproviding enhanced caller information to a call recipient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For years individuals have been disrupted by unwanted or untimelycommunications. For example, an employee focused on important work canbe interrupted by an unwanted telephone call. Similarly, individuals athome can be disturbed by telephone calls. In another example, anemployee working at a computer terminal in the office to complete a taskwith an imminent deadline can be interrupted with invitations for chator other forms of instant messaging. In any of these cases, theindividual can respond to the incoming communication only to discoverthat the communication is of low importance. Alternatively, theindividual can ignore the communication and risk missing a communicationthat relates to an important client, an important event or an emergency.

Caller identification (ID) equipment, including caller ID enabledphones, has become prevalent in recent years. Caller ID generally alertsthe recipient of a phone call to the phone number of the caller. In someinstances, caller ID equipment provides the name of the callerregistered or otherwise associated with the caller's number. Thus therecipient can make an informed decision as to whether to answer theincoming call.

Caller ID information is generally limited to the telephone number ofthe originating phone (i.e., the phone placing the call) and anassociated name. Because the originating phone may be available to morethan one user, the recipient of the phone call does not necessarily knowwho is placing the call. In other instances, simply knowing the numberand the name of the caller may not be sufficient to determine whether torespond or how to respond to the call. For example, a business personengaged in an important task may not want to respond to a call unless itis from an important customer. In another example, a business person maywant to have ready access to detailed information about a caller tobetter interact with the caller, especially if the caller is animportant customer or a potential customer. Moreover, these problemsextend to other forms of communications, such as online communications,in which only limited information about an originating device isavailable at a receiving device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention features a method for providing enhancedcaller information to a communications recipient includes storingenhanced caller information in memory of a card distributed to acardholder. An information reader reads the enhanced caller informationfrom the memory of the card when the cardholder attempts to initiate atelephone call. The read enhanced caller information is inserted intovoice signals used to establish the telephone call with thecommunications recipient. The voice signals with the inserted enhancedcaller information are transmitted to the communications recipient overa network.

In another aspect, the invention features a cellular telephone includingan information reader for reading the enhanced caller information froman external caller information storage device. An information insertionmodule of the cellular telephone merges the enhanced caller informationwith voice signals used to establish a telephone call with acommunications recipient. The cellular telephone includes a transmitterfor transmitting the voice signals with the merged enhanced callerinformation over a network to the communications recipient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of this invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate likestructural elements and features in the various figures. For clarity,not every element may be labeled in every figure. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked environment in which a methodfor providing enhanced caller information to a communications recipientaccording to the invention may be practiced.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of acommunications system for providing a communications recipient withenhanced caller information according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representation of an embodiment of a method forproviding enhanced caller information to a communications recipientaccording to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the information insertion module34 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the information presentationmodule 38 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6A depicts a caller information storage device formatted as apersonal card according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6B depicts a caller information storage device formatted as acustomer interest card according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6C depicts a caller information storage device formatted as anevent card according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In brief overview the present invention relates to a method forproviding enhanced caller information to a communications recipient. Theenhanced caller information is stored on a caller information storagedevice and is read by an information reader. Enhanced caller informationcan include the name and telephone number of the caller, and includesother information relating to the person possessing the storage device,the person or entity that distributed the device to the possessor, orboth. An information presentation module presents the enhanced callerinformation to the intended communications recipient using, for example,a display and an audio output device. The information presentationmodule can filter the enhanced caller information according to apreferred presentation mode. Advantageously, the communicationsrecipient can have enhanced information regarding the caller or purposefor the communication before the communications session is established.

FIG. 1 illustrates a networked environment 10 in which enhanced callerinformation is provided to a communications recipient in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. A caller using an originatingcommunications device 14 desires to initiate a communications sessionover an intervening network 22 with a recipient using a recipientcommunication device 18. As used herein, the term “caller” refers to aperson, computer or device attempting to initiate the communicationssession and the term “recipient” refers to a person, computer or devicecapable of receiving communications data generated by the caller. Thecommunications session can be based on any of a variety of communicationprotocols, including standard landline and wireless communicationprotocols, text chat or instant messaging (IM), and video conferencing.

The originating communications device 14 can be a telephone, a cellulartelephone, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or the likethat is capable of transmitting communications data over the network 22.Similarly, the recipient communications device 18 can be a telephone, acellular telephone, a computer, a PDA or the like that is capable ofreceiving the communications data from the network 22 and presenting thecommunications data to the recipient. The network 22 can include anyconfiguration of communications elements for transmitting communicationsdata between the originating communications device 14 and the recipientcommunications device 18. For example, the network 22 can be theInternet, a local area network (LAN), a wireless telephone network, alandline telephone network, or a combination of subnetworks of differenttypes.

According to the illustrated embodiment, enhanced caller informationdata are read from a caller information storage device 26 associatedwith the caller. In other embodiments, enhanced caller information dataare read from two or more caller information storage devices 26, each ofwhich may include at least partially redundant data. The callerinformation storage device 26 can be any device adapted to store datathat can be read by a caller information reader 30. For example, thecaller information storage device 26 can be a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) device having non-volatile memory; a card, tag orthe like having optically readable data (i.e., optical media or printedmatter (e.g., a barcode)); or any other type of data storage devicecapable of providing stored data to a reading device. The callerinformation reader 30 can be, for example, an RFID reader, an opticalscanner (e.g., a barcode reader), or the like. In one embodiment, thecaller information reader 30 includes an imaging system in communicationwith a processor. The imaging system generates an electronic image of animage (e.g., a two dimensional bar code) encoded with the enhancedcaller information data and displayed on the caller information storagedevice 26. The processor determines the enhanced caller information datafrom the electronic image. In another embodiment, the processor isomitted and the electronic image includes the enhanced callerinformation. In this embodiment, the enhanced caller information isdirectly printed on the caller information storage device 26. In anotherembodiment, the enhanced caller information includes an image of thecaller.

The enhanced caller information can include personal, business andfinancial information as described in more detail below. An informationinsertion module 34 in communication with the originating communicationdevice 14 and the caller information reader 30 inserts the enhancedcaller information data into a communications data stream fortransmission to the recipient over the network 22. An informationpresentation module 38 receives the communications data stream, extractsthe enhanced caller information data for presentation to the recipientthrough one or more user interfaces and passes the remainingcommunications data to the recipient communications device 18. Therecipient can use the enhanced caller information data for any of avariety of purposes such as determining whether to allow thecommunications session to be established (i.e., to “screen” the incomingcommunication) or to facilitate business transactions or personaldiscussions once the communications session is established.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a communications system 42 forproviding a communications recipient with enhanced caller information inaccordance with the invention and FIG. 3 shows a flowchartrepresentation of an embodiment of a method 200 for providing enhancedcaller information to a communications recipient according to theinvention. The communications system 42 includes a cellular telephone 50having an integrated insertion module 34 and RFID reader 54, aninformation presentation module 38 and a landline telephone 58. Thecellular telephone 50 and landline telephone 58 are capable ofestablishing a voice communications session over the intervening network22. The network 22 integrates wireless communications and landlinetelephone communications.

In the present example, the caller and the recipient are persons havinga business relationship. More specifically, the caller is a potentialcustomer who received an RFID information card 46 provided by therecipient and the recipient is a salesperson seeking to complete abusiness transaction with the caller. The RFID information card 46 canbe an active device that transmits information to the RFID reader 54without first receiving an interrogation signal from the RFID reader 54.Alternatively, the RFID card 46 can be a passive device that transmitsits information to the RFID reader 54 only after receiving aninterrogation signal.

Prior to exchanging the RFID card 46 with the potential customer, thesalesperson stores a variety of information on the card 46. The storedinformation can include general information such as a product type ormodel for which the potential customer expressed an interest in anearlier meeting. The stored information can also include specific datasuch as the nickname of the caller, the date and location of the earliermeeting, and other personal information which enables the salesperson toquickly recognize the caller and to facilitate a business interaction orpersonal discussion.

To establish the communications link between the caller and therecipient, the caller enters a telephone number using a keypad on thecellular telephone 50. The caller then positions the RFID card 46 nearthe RFID reader 54 so that the enhanced caller information data are read(step 210). In one embodiment, the enhanced caller information dataincludes a telephone number for the communications recipient which canbe used to automatically “dial” the salesperson without the need toenter the telephone number using the keypad. The information insertionmodule 34 merges (step 220) the enhanced caller information data withthe voice data and transmits (step 230) the combined data over thenetwork 22 to the communications recipient. Standard caller IDinformation can be added within the intervening network 22, for example,by equipment maintained by a telephone company. The informationpresentation module 38 extracts (step 240) the enhanced callerinformation data from the combined data and passes the voice data to thelandline telephone 58. Optionally, any standard caller ID informationcan also be extracted. The extracted enhanced caller information dataand any optional network caller information data are presented (step250) to the recipient through one or more output devices in theinformation presentation module 38. For example, the information can bepresented to the recipient as text in a text display 62, graphical data,still images or video on a graphical display unit 66, or as an audiblesignal (e.g., “spoken” information) through a speaker 70.

FIG. 4 shows a functional block diagram of an information insertionmodule 34 having a processor 74 and merge module 78 to combine enhancedcaller information data with the caller's voice data. Enhanced callerinformation data received at an input terminal 82 is combined with voicedata received at a second input terminal 86 and provided as a singledata stream at an output terminal 90 for transmission to the recipient.As illustrated, the enhanced caller information data is provided by twocaller information storage devices 26 (not shown), however, it should berecognized that the enhanced caller information can be read from anynumber of caller information storage devices 26 using one or moreinformation readers 30. If multiple caller information storage devices26 are read, the processor 74 can remove any redundant informationbefore transmission. The processor 74 can be programmed according toprogram data provided at a program input terminal 94. In an alternativeembodiment, the processor 74 can be programmed by a portion of the dataincluded in the enhanced caller information data. For example, theenhanced caller information data can include the telephone number of therecipient as described above and can also include instructions to enablethe processor to cause the cellular telephone 50 to “dial” the telephonenumber without use of the keypad.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of an information presentation module 38that can be used to present the enhanced caller information to therecipient. The information presentation module 38 includes a processor102 in communication with various output devices including a textdisplay 62, a graphics display 66 and a speaker 70. Voice data, enhancedcaller information data and standard caller ID data are received at aninput terminal 106. The processor 102 extracts the total callerinformation (i.e., the enhanced caller information data and standardcaller ID data) and forwards it to one or more of the output devices.Voice data are passed by the processor 102 to an output terminal 110. Insome embodiments a signal conditioner in communication with theprocessor 102 and the output devices is used to transform the enhancedcaller information data into analog and/or digital signals of variousformats appropriate for the various output devices.

Program data received at a program terminal 114 is used to configure theprocessor 102 to implement the recipient's preferences for presentationof the enhanced caller information. Alternatively, the processor 102executes instructions stored in non-volatile memory. As an example, therecipient may wish to view all enhanced caller information in textformat and to prevent graphical output and audio output. In anotherexample, the recipient may wish to limit the presentation of enhancedcaller information to certain data fields such as the name andorganization of the caller. The processor 102 can be reconfigured at alater time to change the preferences for information presentation.

The information presentation module 38 can implement filters defined bythe recipient. Filters enable the presentation of enhanced callerinformation according to its content. Data are stored in predefinedfields to facilitate filtering. For example, the user can configure theinformation presentation module 38 to present enhanced callerinformation using all output devices if a data field indicates that theincoming call is from an external organization and to limit thepresentation of enhanced caller information to text for incoming callsfrom the recipient's organization.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate examples of caller information storagedevices formatted with different data fields. FIG. 6A shows a callerinformation storage device 122 formatted as a “personal card.” Personalcard devices 122 can be configured as read-only devices using astatically programmed memory (i.e., read-only memory (ROM) 134) forreduced cost. Devices 122 utilizing only ROMs 134 for data storage havedata written to them during the fabrication process and the informationis never changed. Information stored on the device 122 is similar toinformation typically included on a conventional business card such asthe name, title, organization and contact information of the personpossessing the device 122. Unlike a business card which includesinformation relative to the person distributing the card, the device 122includes information relating to the person receiving the device 122.

Optionally, the ROM 134 stores a program to perform one or more tasks.For example, the ROM 134 can store a program that causes telephonenumbers to be dial in a predetermined sequence. In another example, theprogram can cause the originating communication device 14 (e.g., cellphone) to play a tone, chimes, music, or brief audible message, or todisplay a graphical message or image to a user. In addition, the programmay provide access to voicemail, store a message, tone or music invoicemail or add the user to an instant messaging (IM) session with oneor more persons. Alternatively, the program can enable a user to executea control function in the communications device such as delete allvoicemail messages, forward voicemail messages to another user, downloada free program (e.g., a game that can be played on the communicationsdevice), browse a web page, and the like.

The device 122 can also include a non-volatile memory (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM) 138) that permits data to be written to the device122 numerous times. Using a RAM 138, the device 122 can accumulate data.For example, if a building entry includes equipment for writing todevices 122, date and time data can be written to the device each timeits holder enters or exits the building. In effect, the device 122collects “cookies” indicating the presence or location of the device 122at various times.

Employers can distribute devices 122 to employees to facilitatecommunications in the workplace. Similarly, organizations can distributedevices 122 to their members to facilitate organizational communicationsand activities. Commercial vendors can utilize devices 122 to facilitatecommunications with customers and to enable promotional transactions.For example, a claim for a personalized customer award can beauthenticated using a device 122 that uniquely represents its holder.

FIG. 6B shows a caller information storage device 126 formatted as a“customer interest card” for distribution to a potential customer.Information on the device 126 includes the name, title, organization andcontact information of the potential customer. Also included isinformation designating one or more products for which the potentialcustomer has indicated an interest. This information can be obtained,for example, from a meeting, telephone call, customer survey or similarinteraction with the potential customer and stored on a single device126. Other information can be included, such as the name, organizationand contact information of the salesperson that met with the potentialcustomer or is assigned to assist the potential customer.

The device 126 is programmed with the potential customer information andthen provided to the potential customer during the later stage of ameeting or after conclusion of the meeting. Alternatively, the device126 can be forwarded to the potential customer, for example, by mail.Because devices 126 can be provided to a large number of potentialcustomers each having a variety of product interests, each device 126can include a card version number or sequence number to facilitatetracking. In another embodiment, information is written to a ROM 134 inthe device 126 during a manufacturing process prior to obtainingcustomer interest information. The salesperson maintains a supply ofdevices 126 each unique to a product type or model. Consequently, thesalesperson can immediately provide the appropriate version of thedevice 126 to the potential customer during the initial meeting withoutany delay caused by programming.

The device 126 can include one or more data fields used for filtering.For example, a salesperson programming the device 126 can enter acustomer rating value to indicate the importance of the potentialcustomer relative to other customers. The salesperson can program aninformation presentation module 38 to present the enhanced callerinformation data according to the customer rating value. In a furtherexample, enhanced caller information from a potential customer having acustomer rating value above a user defined threshold can be providedthrough an audible alert. In contrast, presentation of enhanced callerinformation from a potential customer having a low customer rating valuecan be restricted to a subset of the available enhanced callerinformation and can be limited to a low priority output device such as atext display.

A potential customer uses the device 126 when attempting to communicatewith the salesperson. If the communication is a telephone call receivedby an operator, the enhanced caller information can be observed toassist in routing the call to the proper salesperson. Advantageously,enhanced caller information presented to the salesperson allows thesalesperson to understand the potential customer's interest at thebeginning of a communication session without relying on memory of aprior interaction. Thus a more personal and efficient customerinteraction is possible.

FIG. 6C shows a caller information device 130 formatted as an “eventcard.” The device 130 includes specific information associated with theperson receiving the device 130 (i.e., the device holder) and caninclude a name, occupation, title, organization and contact informationobtained during an interaction between the person giving the device 130(i.e., the device donor) and the device holder. Optional genericinformation such as the name and contact information of the device donorand donor organization can be included. Specific information is uniqueto each device 130 and is caused to be stored (i.e., programmed) on thedevice 130 by the donor or organization distributing the device 130.Specific information can also include the name, location, date and timeof a meeting or event at which the parties met. The device 130preferably includes reprogrammable memory (e.g., RAM 138) to permit thespecific information to be added to generic information, such as thedonor's name and contact information, which is programmed at an earliertime. In one embodiment, the reprogrammable memory is an electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).

Executable code can be included in the enhanced caller information dataof any of the information storage devices 122, 126, 130 described aboveto enable an originating communication device 14 to “dial” or otherwisedirectly initiate a communications session. Executable code can also beincluded to cause enhanced caller information to be presented at theinformation presentation module 38 in a preferred mode.

Information stored in caller information storage devices 122, 126, 130can be encrypted to prevent alteration and copying, and to ensure theprivacy of the stored information. The device donor maintains anencryption key for each device 122, 126 or 130 in the informationpresentation module 38. Alternatively, if the key is embedded in theenhanced caller information for each card, the corresponding “codebooks”used to decrypt are stored in the information presentation module 38.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tospecific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes in form and detail may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method for providing enhanced caller information to acommunications recipient, the method comprising: storing enhanced callerinformation in memory of a card distributed to a cardholder; reading, byan information reader, the enhanced caller information from the memoryof the card when the cardholder attempts to initiate a telephone call;inserting the enhanced caller information read by the information readerinto voice signals used to establish the telephone call with thecommunications recipient; and transmitting the voice signals with theinserted enhanced caller information to the communications recipientover a network.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprisingautomatically dialing a telephone number in response to reading theenhanced caller information from the memory of the card.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the card is an RFID (radio frequency identification)card.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the RFID card transmits theenhanced caller information to the information reader in response to aninterrogation signal therefrom.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theenhanced caller information includes executable program code thatautomatically executes upon being read by the information reader.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the enhanced caller information stored inmemory of the card includes personal data about the cardholder.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the enhanced caller information stored inmemory of the card includes information about a product of interest tothe cardholder.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the enhanced callerinformation stored in memory of the card includes information about anevent attended by the cardholder.
 9. A cellular telephone, comprising:an information reader reading enhanced caller information from anexternal caller information storage device; an information insertionmodule merging the enhanced caller information with voice signals usedto establish a telephone call with a communications recipient; and atransmitter transmitting the voice signals with the merged enhancedcaller information over a network to the communications recipient. 10.The cellular telephone of claim 9, wherein the information readerincludes an RFID reader.
 11. The cellular telephone of claim 9, whereinthe information reader includes an optical scanner.
 12. The cellulartelephone of claim 9, wherein the enhanced caller information includesexecutable program code and the information insertion module includes aprocessor, the processor being programmed with the executable programcode in response to the information reader reading the enhanced callerinformation from the external caller information storage device.
 13. Thecellular telephone of claim 12, wherein the enhanced caller informationfurther includes a telephone number of the communications recipient andexecution of the executable program code by the processor automaticallycauses the telephone number to be dialed in response to the informationreader reading the enhanced caller information from the external callerinformation storage device.
 14. The cellular telephone of claim 9,wherein the enhanced caller information includes personal data about acaller who is attempting to establish the telephone call with thecommunications recipient.
 15. The cellular telephone of claim 9, whereinthe enhanced caller information includes information about a product ofinterest to a caller who is attempting to establish the telephone callwith the communications recipient.
 16. The cellular telephone of claim9, wherein the enhanced caller information includes information about anevent attended by a caller who is attempting to establish the telephonecall with the communications recipient.